Unitary Developmental Theory and Organization Development

Unitary Developmental Theory & Model (UDT)

Unitary Developmental Theory (UDT) is a break-through Theory and Model of Human System Development and Behaviour. Based on over 15 years academic and operational research it enhances our understanding of how human systems function, learn and develop. The UDT Theory & Model is equally applicable to three main domains below and related research has been published by Routledge 2022. UDT was preceded by Dynamic Systems Maturity Theory (DSMT) & Models which still hold valid and reflects retitling of DSMT

The Person as a Human System

is psychology viewed through the lens of systems theory and sees individuals as seeking homeostasis within their systems or groups. To create a system that works for all members, the expectations, needs, desires, and behaviors of each person within it must be considered. UDT provides a model for mental health and recovery.

The Organization as a Human System

is an important work that integrates knowledge, management and systems into a unified world of thinking and action in Organizations, decision-making and economics. It presents a modern synthesis of the fields of knowledge management, systems science and human organization. UDT provides a model for Organization health, change and development.

Societies as a Human Systems

include social, economic and institutional structures and processes. Related to industry, settlement and society, these systems are diverse and dynamic, expressed at the individual level through livelihoods. UDT provides a model for Understanding, planning and making fundamental change in societies.

Transforming Change Management and Organization Development Capability with UDT

Our focus here is “The Organization as a Human System” where we consider and apply Unitary Development Theory (UDT) as a scientific means for understanding and improving Human Systems, such as an Organisation System. It explains how they function? Why they perform at a specific level? The nature of their Culture and the Learning and Development Process.

To put it simply, UDT details exactly how organizations and teams learn developmentally and any other model that misses any of its phases, or oversteps the level at which the system is operating is very likely to fail. The Traction and Sustainability of Transformation, Change or Improvement plans and actions are what UDT fixes.

UDT transforms a number of key concepts. E.g., Culture is cited as the main cause of failure for Change, but it is usually poorly defined as “the way we do things around here”. Now, Culture is defined with clinical validity as Habituated Maturational Stage, and Culture Change becomes simply another OD exercise. Other concepts similarly transformed are Agility, Resilience, Linearity, Inversion, etc., as well as the optimal Level of Maturity which is called Regenerative Eco-System. Above all, UDT clinically shows why only 30% of organizations achieve the premium returns associated with Agility.

Four Important Applications of UDT.

There are four specific applications of UDT in Organizations that are important challenges to be addressed.

• Establishing consensus on the need for and scale of change (Catalyst)

• Providing a robust Change Management and Change Capability Process for today’s VUCA environment. (Change)

• Understanding and Implementing Culture Change that is integrated and consistent with the operational functioning, development and performance for teams. (Culture)

• A Roadmap and Tools for understanding, planning and implementing organization and team transformation interventions to successfully achieve the highest level of functioning and performance as a regenerative ecosystem (Capability)

Why using UDT is important?

• Existing Models for Transformation, Change and Improvement lack the sophistication required for today’s VUCA environment, whereas UDT provides a Standard Integrated Reference Model that equally applies for building Organization & Team:

  • Performance

  • Agility (Change Capability)

  • Resilience

  • Productivity

  • Collaboration

  • Culture

  • Innovation

  • Leadership

  • Digital Business Performance

• Underpinned by Management, Learning, Psychology, Learning and Economic Science

  • Explains the 7 Levels an Organization can reside at (Habituate) for every system element’s level of functioning.

  • Outlines the developmental steps and actions to move from any step to the next improved step applying the UDT rules.

• Three Implementation Reference Models with complete bodies of Knowledge.

  • The Organization Maturity Index (OMI)

  • The Team Maturity Index (TMI)

  • The Digital Maturity Index (DMI)

• Easy to understand and use, with on-line access and Assessment